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'^ Funeral Address, 

DELIVERRD AT THE INTERMENT OF THE 

Hon. JOHiV NICHOLAS, 

On Sunday, the id dmj of January , 1820, 
in Trinity Church, Geneva. 



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By ORIN CLARK, 

Rector of saia Church. 



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Brethren of iJic Co;?ir>Y^«^io/i — 

The dispensation of Provideoce, upon uliicli I am 
called to address you, is calculated to arouse in our bosoms, e- 
molions of no ordinary cliarnctcr— A Father in our Israel Las 
fallen. We behold his earthly tabernacle before us ia ruias. — 
Thtf pure, heaven-boru spirit which so lately inhabited it, has 
gone " to him u ho i;ave it —to Iiis father and our father —to his 
God and our God," in whose holy keeping it shall remain, in a 
State of separation, from its tenement of clay " till the heavens 
be no more." Hither the blessed light of the ^^ Sun of Right- 
eousfipss" enables us, with the eye of faith, to follow it in joy and 
tritiin;)h. And this is onr consolation, in contemplating tho 
exit of onr friends from this scene of sorrow and sin — this is our 
consolation, tliut the snul oa its departure from the body does 
tiot })erisli. Deutii, when he has dissolved the union between 
(hem, and mingled the body u ith the dust, has done all that is in 
his power. The soul, secure in her immortality, shielded by the 
wing of Omnipotence, bids deiiance to his assaults— No, the 
soul cannot die. Upon its every power, and faculty, and affec- 
tion, is impressed the seal of eternity. It is destined, revelation 
assures us, by t lie decree of its JSIaker, to exist forever — and who. 
can resist His will— who can frustrate Uis purjioses .^ U is des- 
tined too, we are assured upon the same unquestionable author- 
ity to exist furever, on being suitably prepared for it here, in 
a state of most exalted bli^s and glory; such as '• eye hath not 
seeu,norcar heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man to con- 
ceive." IS or is this happiness to be the portion of the soul only ; 
the body, tho' now embraced by corruption, and covered with 
dishonor, shall soon be delivered from its bondage, put on glori- 
ous apparel, and, re-united with the soul, be made partaker of 
its felicity and immortality. Yes, brethren, short sliall be the 
triumph of death even over this corruptible body. The decree 



1 

l)as a;nnc forili fVnsn Him wlio at first fonncil it from nothing, am] 
wlio lias tlio "keys of hell and death," that this " corruj)ti!jle 
tmtst put on incorruption, and this mortal immortalitv." <• The 
hour, he proelaimelli— the hour is coining, in the uhich a\\ tliat 
are in their graves shall liear the voice of the Son of God, and 
shall come forth, they that have done good, uvAo the resurrection 
of life, and they that have done evil unto the rei«urrection of dam- 
nation." *' I am the resurrection and the life," sailh the Lord, 
" he that believelh in me though he were dead, yet shall he live, 
and whosoever liveth and believelh in meshal! neverdic." " For 
if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also 
M'hich sleep in Jesus will God bring with him ; for the Lord him- 
self shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of 
the archangel and the trump of God, and the dead in Christ 
shall rise first, and he shall change tiieir vile body that it be 
made like unto his glorious body." " Wherefore eonifort one 
another with these words." And what else brethren ran we 
need to dispel our fears, to sustain our hopes and to comlbrt our 
hearts, in view of the ravages of death, than these blessed assu- 
rances that the soul is above his power, and shall, if purified by 
repentance and sanctified by the spirit of the Redeemer, be ere 
long united again to tlie l)ody to receive with it, " its perfect con- 
summation and bliss in God's eternal and everlasting glory. "With 
what confidence may we not hope that this blessedness shall be 
the portion of our departed brother. He lived the life, he died 
the death, and therefore shall undoubtedly partake of the everlas- 
ting happiness of the righteous. 

In common instances of mortality, to notice with any degree of 
particularity, the personal character of the deceased, is (as you 
will bear me witness, brethren,) foreign to my practice ; and 
such notices may in general, it is apprehended, be justly sus- 
pected of flattery to the living. But in the present, 1 should vi- 
olate your feelings, do injustice to my own, and neglect a sacred 
duly to religion, were I to omit the commemoration of tlie virtues 
of him who is to be our subject. And in procedingto discharge 
this oftice. my apprehension is, that T shall incur your censure 



not for siiviiic; ioo much, but for omitiiipj mncli that slioulil ha 
said — for memory, which, when promted by ufteclion loves (o lin- 
ger in (lie oanteinplation of departed excellence, will point you 
to very many traits deserviiic; a distinct notice whicli it is im- 
l)ossibIe to embrace in the hasty and imperfect sketch whith 1 am 
about to give, of his character.* 

In whatever pointof li^ht it is viewed, we shall see much to ad- 
mire, to commend, and to imitate. Remote from every thing 
showy and calculated merely to dazzle, his talents as a man, were 
of the most solid and valuable kind. To an understandit)!:^ un- 
commonly vigorous and comprehensive, strengthened and regu- 
lated by early discipline, enriched with almost every species of 
useful knowledge ; and a judgment, remarkable both for the 
soundness and promptitude of its decisions, he united a heart 
warmed, in an unusual degree by every social and benevolent af- 
fection. By no trait probably was his character more distinctly 
marked than that perfect independence of n)ind, which, imparl- 
ing firmness to principle, and energy to action, and spurning the 
servile complaisance of (he weak and t!ie paltry pretences of the 
wicked, dares to pursue the path of duty alone, unawed by the 
prejudices of the multitude, by the apprehensions of friends or by 
the malice of enemies. And this decision and firmness, far re- 
moved from any thing like that blind obstinacy and vain con- 
ceit, which pride often attempts to pass upon the world for inde- 
pendence of mind, were with him the firmness of priuei[)!e, the 
decision of a judgment conscious of its rectitude and superiority. 
In union with this exalted quality, we find, as we should nalu- 

* Mr. N. was born ITG*. in the state of Virginift. where lie 
received his education and resided till 1803, wlienhe removed to 
this village. He was educated for the law, and in I he early part 
of his life, devoted himself to the practice of it. Having, how- 
ever, a strong predilection for agricultural pursuits. he leliiujuisli- 
ed the legal profession afier a fe>v years practice in it. and (ur- 
rted his attention principally, for the rest of his life. to these pur- 
suits. He died of a dropsical affection, which had, for several 
years been gradually undermining his constitution, on Friday, 
the 31st of December. 1810. in tlie 3Tth vear of his age. 



6 

rsilly anlicinalo, an utter aversion to deception of every kind 
^n 1 la e\ery di'j^rce ; g'eat simplicity and unnfl'icledness of maii- 
iiLTs, great cindour and openness ol' disposition, and uncommon 
modesty and dillidence ia acting or judging upon every subject 
of which he hud not a tiiorougU acquaintance. 

His wortli as a citizen, can scarcely be (oo liiglily apprecia- 
ted. Wiih an eye steadily directed to tlie public good, he was 
ever ready by every means in his power, by his wealth, inQuenee, 
and personal exertion, to contribute to its advancement. It was 
his devotion to this object atone, that drew him from retirement j 
" that retirement where he found, while he conferred, every en- 
joyment," and induced him to accept a jilaee in the councils of 
liis country,* and upon the bench ; stations which he occupied 
with equal honor to himself and usefulness to the community ; 
disj)layii)g in both the greatest disinteresleduess and integrity ; 
qualities which isidecd marked his conduct in every walk of life. 
To his ability, firmness and fidelity as a magistrate, you are, ma- 
ny of you brethren, witnesses, and lam sure you will respond to 
the truth of the assertion, (hat he was iu all instances equal and 
faithful to the duties of this highly responsible station. 

But we must view him in a yet more elevated station : that of 
a servant of the most high God, and disciple of our common 
Lord and Master. It is the fidelity with which he filled this 
fetation, which principally demands our grateful remembrance, 
and from which his character received its highest lustre. He 
^vas, in the best sense of the word, a Chrisiian. 

Love to his Maker and Redeemer, and good will to men, were 
ihe principles which predominated in his heart, and directed and 
controlled his conduct. Partaking of the natural ardour of his 
feelings, his piety was lively and fervent, yet perfectly sober and 
rational. It did not evaporate in empty profession, nor exhaust 



* During a most critical period of our country's history, he- 
was honored with three successive elections to the National Le- 
gislature, from his native stale. Shortly after his removal lo 
this stale, he was elected a member of its Senate, and about the 
same time was appointed first Judge of this county. 



ilself in rapturous emotionjbtitillspIaycH] its indiienee in every so 
eial Riul domestic relation, in (he uiost anedionatc and devoli'd^ 
attachment, tenderness and kindness, as a Imsband, a parent and 
a friend. The sway whicJi it constantly and luiiformli/ exercised 
.over his aftections showed its perfect sincerity. In every thins; 
connected with tlie honor of God, and the salvation of his fellow 
inen, it prompted him to take a most lively interest. You, my 
brethren of the congrepjal ion, can attest to his pious zeal and 
liberality, and you recur to thorn 1 trust, with gratitude. To 
these, under God, you owe much for your privileges as a conpjrc- 
gation. Yes, but for his munificence, energy and perseveranee, 
coming in aid of yours, this sacred edifice perhaps had never beea 
reared ; and you possibly had still been deprived of the public 
ordinances of your Apostolic Church. O may the remembrance 
of his love for her, and zeal to advance her interests, while it a- 
U'akens your gratitude, stimulate you to an imitation of his ex> 
ample. 

All the institutions of religion commanded liis highest esteem 
and reverence ; he loved the house, he loved the people, he lov- 
ed the ministers of God. Considering the public ordinances of 
the gospel as the divinely appointed means of salvation, and sen- 
sible from experience of their holy efficacy, he felt it to be his hap- 
piness no less than his duly to encourage, and, as often as he 
had opportunity, to unite in their celebration.'*' 

The worship of the Church, in particular, afforded him the 
highest satisfaction, and never, (he has becH heard to say,) ne- 

* The views which he entertained of the christian Sacraments 
were truly primitive. He looked upon them not simply as badg- 
es of saintship. but, as they are in truth, means nf Grace, in th« 
use of which God ordinarily communicates the renovoting and, 
sanctifying influences of his holy spirit; — and in this opinion of 
them he was confirmed bpyond a doubt by his own experience. 
lie said to the author of this Address repeatedly during his last 
sickness, that the Sacrament nf the Lord's Supper had been the 
^^j^rent menns,^- not only of his advancement in the eliristian 
life, but also of fixing 'permanently in his mind the iirst impres- 
sions of religion. 



vei- did hh sojil know sneli lieavenly peace ami serenity, as wlieii, 
prostrate in this sacred place, he poiircd forth its devout emo- 
tions iti ihe animating strains of our admirable Lilurn-y. * 

His charity was as sincere and ardent as his piety. Thoa^h 
firmly attaclied to the distinctive principles of our Communion, 
from a deliberalive conviction that ihey are primitive and scrip- 
tural- yet, kiiiiily overlooking what he deemed the errors of 
others, he cordially embraced in the arras of affection the Chris- 
tian of every naine,^in whose temper and conduct he found the 
image ofhis Redeemer. 

The same benign principle inspired him with universal good 
will, and exciied in his bosom a lively concern for the welfare 
of mankind. Every benevolent object found his heart alive to 
its interests, and his hand open to further its advancement. — - 
Bought with a price, he felt that nothing which he possessed, 
neither his lime, nor his talents, nor his wealth, were his own, 
but might justly be claimed by Him througli whose precious 



* He considered this formula of devotion one of the most dis- 
tinguishing excelleneies of our Church. — It was, in«d|iis 
view, invaluable. In his youth, circumstances, not necessary 
to be explained, had created in lii« mind a strong prejudice a- 
gainst the Liluigy — the force of which he fell in no inconsider- 
able degree vvJien hii attention was first seriously turned to re- 
ligion. Bui he was too lil>eral and enlightened to yield to this 
prejudiee and reject the Liturgy till he oxamine<l its several of- 
fices anil formed a practical acquaintance with them; and the 
moment this was done, he found (to use his own words) that 
Jie bad no longer any relish for any other mode of worship. — 
And the longer he used, the more he loved and admired it. With 
his dying breath, he ttoie testimony to its excellence. In con- 
versaiion with a cleiici*! friend, in his IhsI moments, he took 
occasion to express his admiration of the sutabhut'ss of its pray- 
ers fur I lie dying, as "oll as the li^iti^:. Being asked if he did 
not desire to join in one of them.' he ans»\ered, '• witli 
all my heart;"— and colling his family ab'>ul him for the last 
time, he entreated them to unite with him in it. and learn to 
value and love their excellent Liturgy. Tfiey obeyed— joined 
him in the holy exercise, and he hmmdiatehj, upon the dose of 
it, joined the worshipers of Heaven 1 



lilood he had redempdon. In (Ike use of lliPin (herefore, it was 
his aim to act as u steward of liie g^real oiver — and hi-nec Jie 
made it a point of duly to sel apart no small portion of iiis wealth 
to ihe ser\ ice of religion, and nfllie poor. And they, brethren, 
the poor, alone, can tfll you ihe slory of his bonnlies. Done in 
the privacy of retirement, where no eye C(uild see but that of the 
Omniscient. their extent and happy effects shall never be known 
till revealed by (he lipjht of the j^jreal day. Hut the poor were 
not the «nly partakers of iiis benevolence. — No— by the splendid 
light of his example, and the persevering exertion of his talents 
and inflnenee to diseountenance vice of every description, and 
to eneourasje every ihinaj which was favorable to mor.il improve. 
nient and social happiness, he was a benefator to suciely at 
larj^e. 

Yet. with all these virtues to recommend him — with ail these 
good works to follow him, humility was the predominant dispo- 
sition of his soul. Kvery claim on account of them which pre- 
sumption could assert, or vanity urge, he surrendered at the foot 
of the cross. All his ffforis to promote the honor of God ami 
the happiness of man. hf considered as required by his duly, and 
even offer all, he f.^lt thit he was a very unprofitable servant. 
Henct- his whole hope, not only of reward. but of dcce|)laiice, was 
reposed entirely and exclusively upon the righteousness of t!ie 
Redeemer, apprehended by a firm, yet humble fai'.h. To this 
he clnng wiiji all 'he powers of hi-; so«il. which perpetually brea- 
thed the self- ibasiog sent iaient — ■• Not unto me. not unto me, 1> 
Lord, but unto thy name be ail the glory." This deep self-abase- 
ment, vvas the result not sim|»ly of a consciousness that his ser- 
vices were imperfect, and wuuid not, ihough (Key were exem[>t 
from defect, be of any value in the sight of God: but of a deep 
sense of unworihiness. of a strong and lively conviction of (he ut- 
ter corruption of our na'ture; and consequently, that every tiling 
that was good, either in his heart or life — every holy desire — ev- 
ery good counsel, and every just and acceptal)!e work, was t!ie 
fruit of God's powerful grace. Abundant, indeed; w as his life in 



10 



ihis blessed fruit; yet, so sjreat was his diffidence in every tLing 
he had done, Uial. he was, at times. lempled to suspect the sin- 
cerity of his failh— lo suspect that all his virtue and devoted- 
ness afforded bu! an equivocal evidence, that he was accepted 
llirough the merits and saiictiGed by the spirit uf his Redeemer. 
But, lilessed be God, iho' grief may endure for a uij^ht, joy 
coinelh in the moruingj. As (he termination of his warfare ap- 
proached, his faith became victorious. His love expelled his 
fears and his doubts ; and with the calm composure of confident 
trust and assured hope, he fell asleep in Jesus. 

" Oh my God, let me die the deatii of the righteous, and let 
my last end be like his. Mark the perfect man, and behold the 
upright, for the end of that man is peace." If the blessed Jesus 
did not disdain lo honor with his tears the ashes of an endeared 
friend, certainly we may without the fear of offending him, con- 
secrate tlie tomb of such exalted worth and excellence by this sa- 
cred tribute of affection. 

But the dispensation admonishes us to other duties than the 
indulgence of unavailing regrets, — and doubtless could the saint- 
ed spirit of him whose remains we are about to entomb, address 
you from its blissful at)ode, it would be in the language of that 
kind rebuke uttered by our Jjord to his sorrowing disciples— 
" Weep not for me, but for yourselves and your children." 

Brethren of the congregation, to you the dispensation is ». 
loud call to bring your o'.va ways to remembrance, to quicken your 
diligence to emulate (he virtues, the example and influence of 
which, you have so long enjoyed ; and lo sirive wilh eucreased 
zeal, activity and liberality in the service of your divine master, 
to fill up the void niade by it in your ranks. Long has ourde- 
])arted brother been a bright and shining light among us. a light 
which imparted life and energy to our little body. Provoked 
!)y our uuthankfulness for the blessing. God has withdrawn it, 
and thus urges ns witli his rod lo remember the duiies, to the re- 
membrance of which, Isis mercy had persuaded us in vain. Shall 
we still resist his v.iil?— Ah, remember an account will soon be 






11 



required of l!ie use we liave made bolh of his <j;nodncss and sever- 
ity, and if we pervert ihem, pervert the very means which he em- 
ploys to reclaim and save us, into new occasions of insulting 
him, vvliat mountains c;in hide, what hills can cover us, from 
Jiis fiery indignation ? Remember, all who hear me, the hnnd 
which demolished that tabernacle will soon conduct your bodies 
to the mansions of corruption. Ah, on w fiat do you rest your hopes 
«)f a resurrection to a blessed iminort.ilily ?— The works of faith 
and charity are the only safe and sure evidence of your title to 
this exalted inheritance. Be not deceived — neither that nega- 
iive kind of virtue and relin;ion which are limited to mere ex- 
emption from g^ross impiety and vice, nor that cold, heartless 
morality, whose source is worldly princi])le, can aftord any siij)- 
j>ort in the fearful hour of trial — the hour of death, and the day 
of judgment. Then that Brm faith in the Redeemer, which ex- 
cludes every claim to his mercy on the ground of worthiness, and 
manifests its living efficacy in constant, unwearied endeavors to 
jiromote hisgIory,shaII be found the only stay of the soul, as it i« 
the only pledge of a glorious immortality. Be not therefore decei- 
ved —Solemnly admonisiied of your latter end, see that ye disre- 
gard not the admouili(Mi, — (hat ye are led by it to consider your 
ways— fo enquire diligently into the state of your hearts and 
lives. The language of the dispensation to each and all of us 
is :— " Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the 
8on of Man conielh." 

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